And is Eaton, who went just 10-10 and was left off the postseason roster after signing a 3-year, $24.5-million contract, fighting for his job this spring?

To answer, Charlie Manuel drew on a lecture veteran starter Jamie Moyer delivered to some of the team's minor league pitchers last spring.

"[He] said if you can take my job, take it," the Phillies manager said. "And I've always looked at baseball that way."

In other words: Yes. Eaton is very much in a fight for a spot in the Phillies rotation despite his large salary over the next two seasons. Last year, the 30-year-old righthander lost four of his last five decisions and finished with the worst season of his 8-year career, posting a 6.29 ERA that was worst in the majors among the 84 starters with at least 160 innings pitched.

As far as unknown quantities goes, Eaton is at the top of the list heading into tomorrow's spring training-opening workout.

He has said repeatedly that pain in his throwing shoulder affected him last season, leading him to hold his arm angle too low, thereby compromising his control. An offseason MRI showed normal "wear and tear," Eaton said. Nevertheless, he visited a therapist in his native Washington three times a week over the offseason in hopes of strengthening the shoulder. Eaton said the visits worked, and that he is ready for a full workload this spring.

"I'm not going to hold back," he said.

The optimistic point of view, at least as far as the Phillies are concerned, is that Eaton's struggles in 2007 were entirely health-related. There is evidence to support such a theory. Prior to last season, he was 54-45 with a 4.40 ERA for his career. Eaton spent time on the disabled list with inflammation in his shoulder last year and has made six other trips to the DL during his 8-year career.

But the pitcher stopped short of blaming all of his struggles on his health. Asked if he had considered surgery in the offseason, he said no.

"I think that's always an option, but for me, that wasn't an option," he said. "Because the way I threw last year, I think everyone would have said, yeah OK [he needed surgery]. But at the same time, I still was able to throw, and I look at it more as myself not being effective and me needing to do some things differently."

General manager Pat Gillick shared that opinion.

"I think from our standpoint and his, we basically thought an offseason rehab program would be better, and that's what he did," Gillick said.

Manuel said the only thing Eaton needs to do is pitch effectively.

"He has to pitch like people thought how he could pitch when we got him," Manuel said. "That's kind of how he has to pitch. He has to pitch and live up to expectations or at least to some of the expectations for the reason why we got him. So we'll have to see."

Those battling for his job don't carry with them much name value, though that could change if the Phillies complete a deal in the next couple of days for veteran Kris Benson, as is expected.

The contenders, for now, include:

* Free agent signee Chad Durbin, a 30-year-old righthander who split time between starting and relieving last season for Detroit, going 8-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 36 appearances.

* J.D. Durbin, a 26-year-old righthander claimed off waivers last April who went on to make 10 starts with the Phillies, going 6-5 with a 6.06 ERA in 19 appearances.

* Travis Blackley, a 25-year-old lefthander acquired in the Rule 5 draft.

But Manuel admitted the competition might not be a case of survival of the fittest. Eaton, after all, will earn more than $8 million this season, which is a lot of money to pay someone who doesn't pitch.

"I'd say he definitely has the inside track, without a doubt," Manuel said. "But that doesn't mean that somebody can not move him out."

Phillers

 

"Hopefully we'll find out good news with that," Amaro said. Lefthanders Mike Zagurski (groin) and Matt Smith (pitching elbow) will also be limited this spring . . . The Phillies held their annual pre-spring organizational meeting yesterday. Coaches, scouts, minor league staff and others met for more than 8 hours while doing everything from breaking down the roster to scheduling spring drills . . . A contract with veteran pitcher Kris Benson could be signed soon. Amaro said he expects a "resolution" within 24-to-48 hours. Benson missed all of last season with a torn labrum after going 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in seven seasons with the Pirates, Mets and Orioles. Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, said his client is completely healthy and has been throwing between 70 and 90 pitches during his offseason workouts for prospective teams. The two sides talked late last night and will talk again this morning in hopes of hashing out a deal. *